RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --- Operations security, or OPSEC, is a key component of antiterrorism and force protection. It helps protect servicemembers, civilian employees, families, facilities and equipment everywhere by denying information.
Good OPSEC practices are important, especially now in light of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, said Capt. Jim Williamson, OPSEC program manager for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
"Simply put, OPSEC is all about denying the bad guys information so we can protect personnel and maximize mission effectiveness," said Williamson, whose job includes ensuring critical information is protected throughout USAFE.
Antiterrorism relies heavily on OPSEC, according to Air Force Instruction 10-1101, Operations Security. When people identify and protect critical information (military operations, capabilities, limitations, intentions, personnel, programs), OPSEC becomes a proactive means by which adversaries are denied this important advantage, Williamson said.
"Even if you're not part of operations, OPSEC still applies to you," he said. "We all possess critical information the adversary wants."
References to this information are maintained on a critical information list, commonly known as a CIL, Williamson said. The lists should be kept handy, like by the telephone, for convenient reference. Unit OPSEC managers are responsible for tailoring the CIL to their particular work areas and distributing it throughout their units.
"If a person needs to discuss critical information, they should use a secure telephone -- remembering appropriate security clearance does not constitute a need to know," he said.
Government telephones are subject to monitoring at all times.
Since force protection and antiterrorism protect the Air Force's most precious asset -- its people -- it is critical that OPSEC be scrupulously applied Air Force-wide everywhere, every day, Williamson said.
"While OPSEC has received increased attention lately, it's important all the time," he said. "The adversary isn't just seeking information during time of conflict. He's patiently waiting and collecting it all the time."
People should be careful of what they throw in the trash because "one man's trash is another man's treasure," Williamson said.
Cell phones, while extremely convenient, are one of the easiest means of communication to monitor, he said. No critical information should be discussed on a cell phone, he went on to say.
While there is no critical information list for family members, Williamson said they should stop to consider if what they are talking about would be of interest to someone collecting information.
"We all have a role in OPSEC, and that includes family members," he said. "Information such as the cancellation of leave or work schedules can provide the adversary with another piece of the overall puzzle he's trying to piece together."
"It's everyone's job to protect their piece of the puzzle," he said.
OPSEC also focuses on observable actions. According to Williamson, an adversary creates a profile by simply observing people's daily activities.
People increase the value of that profile to the adversary if they are predictable with their actions, he said. The observable action (or indicator) becomes yet another piece of the overall information puzzle.
If the adversary observes the same action carried out in the same way at the same time, then they can easily identify not only routine activities, but deviations as well, he said.
"For example, if the same exact patrol route were followed at the same exact time every day, the patrol would quickly become predicable," Williamson said. "If the patrol were suddenly not there, that would be an indication of a change to the mission."
If an action is random to begin with, the adversary is left guessing, and "that's the point of OPSEC," Williamson said.
"OPSEC is important both on and off duty. We're all very proud of the work we do, but the particulars are not for everyone's ears," he said. "The adversary is real, he's listening, and he wants to know what you know."
(FROM AIR FORCE PRINT NEWS)
